Comparative Morphology of Wax Gland Heads in Adult Dustywings (Insecta: Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae).

In the largest comparative study of coniopterygid wax gland head morphology to date, we used scanning electron microscopy to illustrate the ultrastructure of gland heads found in 2 subfamilies (Aleuropteryginae and Coniopteryginae), 5 tribes (Aleuropterygini, Coniocompsini, Coniopterygini, Conwentziini, and Fontenelleini), 9 genera (Aleuropteryx, Coniopteryx, Coniocompsa, Conwentzia, Cryptoscenea, Heteroconis, Semidalis, Spiloconis, and Thecosemidalis), and 28 species of Palearctic and Oriental dustywings collected from a variety of sites across China. We propose a new descriptive terminology to concisely characterize the major elements of gland head ultrastructure and then identify similarities and differences among them and provide detailed descriptions of the wax gland heads found in each of the nine genera examined. Based on the range of taxa examined, we propose hypotheses about the functional morphology of some of the ultrastructural elements examined and relate them to wax ring formation in dustywings. An identification key for the examined genera based on gland head morphology is also presented.

Crop and Semi-Natural Habitat Configuration Affects Diversity and Abundance of Native Bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in a Large-Field Cotton Agroecosystem.

The cotton agroecosystem is one of the most intensely managed, economically and culturally important fiber crops worldwide, including in the United States of America (U.S.), China, India, Pakistan, and Brazil. The composition and configuration of crop species and semi-natural habitat can have significant effects on ecosystem services such as pollination. Here, we investigated the local-scale effect of crop and semi-natural habitat configuration in a large field (>200 ha in size) cotton agroecosystem on the diversity and abundance of native bees. The interfaces sampled included cotton grown next to cotton, sorghum or semi-natural habitat along with a natural habitat comparator. Collections of native bees across interface types revealed 32 species in 13 genera across 3 families. Average species richness metrics ranged between 20.5 and 30.5, with the highest (30.5) at the interface of cotton and semi-natural habitat. The most abundant species was Melissodes tepaneca Cresson (>4000 individuals, ~75% of bees collected) with a higher number of individuals found in all cotton-crop interfaces compared to the cotton interface with semi-natural habitat or natural habitat alone. It was also found that interface type had a significant effect on the native bee communities. Communities of native bees in the cotton-crop interfaces tended to be more consistent in species richness and abundance. While cotton grown next to semi-natural habitat had higher species richness, the number of bees collected varied. These data suggest that native bee communities persist in large-field cotton agroecosystems. Selected species dominate (i.e., M. tepaneca) and thrive in this large-field cotton system where cotton-crop interfaces are key local landscape features. These data have implications for potential pollination benefits to cotton production. The findings also contribute to a discussion regarding the role of large-field commercial cotton growing systems in conserving native bees.

Larvae of Abachrysa eureka (Banks) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Belonopterygini): descriptions and a discussion of the evolution of myrmecophily in Chrysopidae.

Here we describe the first and third instars and the egg of the New World chrysopid Abachrysa eureka (Banks). Like other members of the tribe Belonopterygini, this species is myrmecophilic. Comparisons of Abachrysa larval and egg characteristics with those reported from four other belonopterygine genera indicate that Abachrysa more closely resembles the Old World Calochrysa and Italochrysa than the New World Vieira and Nacarina. The three genera Abachrysa, Calochrysa and Italochrysa all have large eggs, accelerated embryonic development, and an elaborate set of morphological modifications for larval debris carrying, an important defense against ant attack. This pattern of shared features is consistent with the phylogenies recovered in recent molecular studies that place the New World genera Vieira and Nacarina basal to Abachrysa and the Old World genera. Our assessment of current morphological information in relation to the molecular studies indicates the following sequence: (i) The form of belonopterygine myrmecophily that is currently expressed in the basal lineages (Nacarina and perhaps Vieira) originated in the New World and does not involve elaborate larval modifications for debris carrying. (ii) Myrmecophily that is based on a correlated set of developmental and morphological traits subserving debris carrying evolved in the New World when Abachrysa diverged. (iii) Subsequently, the debris-carrying clade of Belonopterygini underwent a significant radiation in the Old World, but not in the New World.

Neuropterida (Insecta: Megaloptera, Raphidioptera, Neuroptera) of Pakistan: a catalogue and faunistic review.

The first comprehensive catalogue of the extant Neuropterida of Pakistan is presented, and the known distributions of all of these species from Pakistan are summarized. The fauna, as presently known, comprises 113 species in 63 genera and 11 families, but this certainly attributes to a significant under-representation of the true fauna. Eighteen species are presently known only from Pakistan and are possibly endemic. The biogeography and several related aspects of the fauna are discussed.

Identification, distribution, and adult phenology of the carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Texas.

The carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Texas are surveyed. Thirteen of the 14 species, and five of the six genera, of this ecologically and forensically important group of scavengers that have previously been reported from Texas are confirmed here based on a study of 3,732 adult specimens. The one reported, but unconfirmed, species, Oxelytrum discicolle, was probably based on erroneous label data and is excluded from the Texas fauna. Two additional species, Nicrophorus sayi and N. investigator are discussed as possible, but unconfirmed, components of the fauna. Taxonomic diagnoses, Texas distribution range maps, seasonality profiles, and biological notes are presented for each confirmed species. The confirmed Texas silphid fauna of 13 species comprises 43% of the 30 species of this family that are known from America north of Mexico. The highest richness (11 species) is found in the combined Austroriparian and Texan biotic provinces of eastern Texas. Phenologically, three species (Necrophila americana, O. rugulosum and Nicrophorus tomentosus) exhibit bimodal adult temporal occurrence patterns with peaks in the spring and late summer or fall; four species (Oiceoptoma noveboracense, Necrodes surinamensis, Nicrophorus carolinus, and N. orbicollis) exhibit unimodal occurrence patterns with a single peak in late spring or early summer; one species (Oiceoptonia inaequale) exhibits a unimodal occurrence pattern with a single peak in early spring; and five species (Thanatophilus truncatus, Nicrophorus americanus, N. marginatus, N. mexicanus and N. pustulatus) display unimodal occurrence patterns with peaks in late summer or early fall.